BrisAsia Festival returns for a celebration of Asian culture

Beat the drums and snap open the chopsticks as the popular BrisAsia Festival returns with a dynamic program across the city from Friday 6 February to Sunday 1 March 2015.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the popular festival was a celebration of Brisbane’s connections with Asian culture and featured free events and activities to suit all tastes.

“There’s something for everyone at BrisAsia Festival with live music and performances, art installations, a games night, short film screenings, food stalls, artist talks as well as Japanese youth culture event, Neon Pop” Cr Quirk said.

“The festival kicks off with a free opening night party in Reddacliff Place where critically acclaimed Australian band The Bombay Royale will entertain with their vintage Bollywood inspired surf, spy disco and funk sounds while visitors sample Brisbane’s best Asian food trucks.

“Festival goers can visit a cutesy, crocheted wonderland as the Japanese art form Amigurumi takes over Burnett Lane, listen to the South Bank Allstars sing World Pop, hear local artists talk about their Asian influences at Yum Chat or join in Games Night with an Asian twist.”

Many of Brisbane City Council’s regular programs are also taking on an Asian twist for the festival with World Kitchen cooking classes in libraries, Bands in Parks events by Taiko drum collective Toko-ton, creative workshops and activities for nature lovers in the Boondall Wetlands.

BrisAsia Festival also incorporates Council’s Chinese Lunar New Year festivities which will bring Chinatown Mall to life with lion dances, cultural performances, markets and firecracker displays.

Cr Quirk said most events were free to provide an accessible celebration of Brisbane as a vibrant, creative and multicultural city.

“This festival contributes to Brisbane’s reputation as a New World City that attracts talent, and builds global connections that contribute to our vibrant and creative city,” Cr Quirk said.
“This is shown through the return of signature events such as Taste of Asia where celebrity chef Adam Liaw will make his favourite Asian comfort food and Japanese youth culture event Neon Pop which celebrates everything wonderful and eccentric about cosplay and anime.”

“I encourage residents to visit Council’s website for the full BrisAsia Festival program to make sure they don’t miss these fantastic events.”

Brisbane’s 612ABC is the official media partner for the 2015 BrisAsia Festival. For more information on the BrisAsia Festival, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 3403 8888.